For Failure to Return Home, President Sirleaf Dismisses Ten; Others Forfeit Compensation and Benefits;Suspends Three on the Job for One Month for Failure to Declare Income, Assets, and Liabilities

Saturday, 13th September 2014

Monrovia, Liberia - As a follow-up to her directive regarding restrictions on travel of government officials, including their return within a week for those who were out of the country without an excuse, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dismissed ten government officials with immediate effect and instituted several measures on those officials of various agencies, commissions, and parastatals not subject to presidential travel approval.

It is noted that for senior and junior government officials, including those from various agencies, commissions, and parastatals who have claimed serious, sometime, life-threatening medical conditions, they will be examined on a case by case basis.

In another development, in accordance with an updated report received from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission on September 5, also posted on its website, President Sirleaf has suspended on the job for one month three eligible officials who have not declared or re-declared their income, assets, and liabilities. They are to forfeit their salaries and have been directed to file their income, assets, and liabilities within one week.

Part X-10.1 of the National Code of Conduct Act states: “Every Public Official and Employee of Government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types shall sign performance or financial bonds and shall in addition declare his or her income, assets and liabilities prior to taking office and thereafter at the end of every three years; on promotion or progression from one level to another; upon transfer to another public office; and upon retirement or resignation.”

A total of 321 government officials who are eligible under the Code of Conduct Act have declared or re-declared their income, assets and liabilities.

Additionally, those government officials suspended earlier and have declared or re-declared their assets in categories B and C, are to provide to the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs evidence of payments into government revenue their fines and penalties as directed by the Liberian President. Failure to do so, within a week, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning will be authorized to automatically deduct two months’ salary.